Technology – Montasir Ahmed's Bloghttp://montasirahmed.com
Personal BlogTue, 20 Feb 2018 20:18:54 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.457838252The Best 5 Amazon Echo Alternativeshttp://montasirahmed.com/the-best-5-amazon-echo-alternatives/
http://montasirahmed.com/the-best-5-amazon-echo-alternatives/#respondWed, 02 Aug 2017 10:54:49 +0000http://montasirahmed.com/?p=1148Since the announcement of launching, Amazon Echo has created a huge buzz in the tech world. Many homes have started to use the device as the highlighter of their smart homes. And with the “Alexa” app this smart speaker brings a smart solution for your home. Streaming free music, using radio, controlling your smart home, …

]]>Since the announcement of launching, Amazon Echo has created a huge buzz in the tech world. Many homes have started to use the device as the highlighter of their smart homes. And with the “Alexa” app this smart speaker brings a smart solution for your home. Streaming free music, using radio, controlling your smart home, this device is a compact package. Meanwhile, we all have different tastes and desires about our home appliances.

Although Amazon Echo is a really great piece of device, but there are other Amazon Echo alternatives that you should give a look before going straight to the Amazon Echo. They are similar to Amazon Echo, but more affordable, portable and stylish.

Google Home

The Google Home is one of the best Echo alternatives there is. With its incredibly smart speaker pack and voice recognition quality it can put up a great fight against Amazon Echo. Powered by Google assistant, you can use this device to set up alarm, stream music services like Google play music, Spotify etc. The voice recognition quality and sound quality are even better than Amazon Echo. This device is packed with quite a lot of tricks. As for the design, Google Home is much sleeker. It blends in with the any kind of surroundings, making it the perfect match for your taste.

It costs only $129 which is far less then Amazon Echo. Considering everything, as far as roommates go, Google home will the best you’ll ever have. The smart artificial intelligence, Google Assistant, makes your life easier than making it rather difficult.

Pros:

The Base is customizable.

Design is good looking, blends anywhere at home.

Understanding, can answer a lot of questions.

Sound quality is good.

Smaller than Amazon Echo.

Cheaper than Amazon Echo.

Cons:

Volume control is difficult.

Its hearing capability is not that good. Phrasing needs to be precise.

Non Google users face difficulty handling.

Doesn’t provide good privacy.

Doesn’t have Bluetooth.

ivee

This speaker looks as cool as its name is. At first sight, you won’t believe that it’s a speaker, because of its unique design. Kind of like Amazon Echo, this Echo alternative can control your smart home by connecting with devices from Smart Things, Nest, Logitech Harmony, Philips Hue and many more. Another plus point of ivee is that it’s capability of listening up to 15 feet away, which means you don’t have to stay close range to give any commands. This feature is ensured as it comes with two far-field microphones. Although Amazon Echo’s seven far-field microphones are far better than ivee’s but it still makes a great alternative.

Much cheaper than Amazon Echo it only costs $99.You can connect it to any stereo system as it comes with an audio port with volume adjustment. The touch control knob on top lets you to turn on ivee with a simple touch. Amazon Echo lacks these features which makes ivee a great alternative Echo.

Pros:

Open API allowing open ecosystem.

Supports third party devices.

Integration with third party apps.

Emergency services.

Hardware is accessible.

Multiple voices and different accents are supported.

Cons:

Doesn’t have that much third party developer’s support.

It hasn’t hit the market yet.

Mycroft

Mycroft is a unique piece of Echo alternative. It’s built on Raspberry pi and Arduino instead of propriety hardware. The natural language processing of the device makes it easier to understand your commands and perform the actions. By connecting it to your home Wi-Fi it integrates with any smart home devices such as, Nest, Philips Hue, Smart Things, Belkin WeMo and many more. This makes it easier for you to control your smart home. The software is powered by Snappy, a minimalist Linux OS. It has other great features such as posting updates on social media, Printing files on 3D printer and many more which the other smart speaker lags.

The device is capable of running apps without any extra fuss such as Netflix, Spotify, YouTube and more. It also has integrated speaker that makes it capable of playing music. Mycroft is an open platform device, which gives it option for its ability to grow more with time.

Pros:

Affordable price.

Open source AI.

Can post in social media.

Can create voice channel between two units, can be used at intercom.

Cons:

Sound quality is not enough.

Design is not attractive.

Cubic

The cubic is sure to blow up your mind when it hits the market. This device is able to do varieties of tasks that the other speakers lag. You will be able to order food, look up television schedule, stream music along with controlling your smart home devices. The integrated mobile app will assist in giving you directions, doling out parking reminders and what not. As the pre-release reviews are positive, it will surely bring a great challenge for the Amazon Echo once it’s released.

The power badge and cubic app are said to cost $49. The home cube will cost $195.the entire Cubic ecosystem is said to cost,$199 only for the 1st 100 people, $249 for second 200 people and for everyone else $289. As, it hasn’t been released yet , the costing can’t be assured.

Pros:

Provides natural conversation.

Can recognize your voice from far away(25 feet)

Can be used as personal DJ.

Provides better security.

Cons:

Cons are not known as it hasn’t been released yet.

Lenovo Smart Assistant

Collaborating with Amazon, Lenovo is entering the world of smart home devices with their Lenovo Smart Assistant. The smart speaker has better sound quality as it is in collaboration with Harman Kardon, accompany known for their excellent sound quality. The speaker will be launched in around May, 2017. The normal version will cost around $130 and the upgraded version will cost around $179. The upgraded version has an additional sound cavity for better sound performance. It also comes with an 8 far-field 360 degree microphones which far better than Amazon Echo. It also includes noise suppression, and acoustic echo cancellation that makes it more capable of hearing your commands.

Integrated with your other smart home appliances, you can control them easily. Lenovo Smart Assistant brings enhanced quality of features of Amazon Echo with better sound quality, making it the best alternative Echo.

Pros:

Excellent sound quality.

Available in two editions.

Comes with full volume control unlike Amazon Echo.

Has better voice recognition than Amazon Echo.

Cons:

The upgraded version has the same price as Amazon Echo.

Not a portable device.

Can only answer factual questions.

Maybe Amazon Echo is just not your type or it’s too pricy, whatever the cause you can easily choose an Echo alternative from the list that best suits you. There are various types and features of the Echo alternatives.Some are cheaper and some are Pricy.Whatever your demands are all the alternatives are capable of doing controlling basic smart home devices. Some have extensive features that make them more attractive than the rest. No matter what type of Alternative Echo you are looking for you can find them on the list of top five.

]]>http://montasirahmed.com/the-best-5-amazon-echo-alternatives/feed/01148Explicitness in Android Games: Ways of Protecting Childrenhttp://montasirahmed.com/explicitness-in-android-games/
http://montasirahmed.com/explicitness-in-android-games/#respondSun, 16 Oct 2016 12:35:35 +0000http://montasirahmed.com/?p=922“Fun and games” on the verge of inappropriate: How to protect children from the notions of sex and violence in android games The modern age has brought along a number of changes. All spheres of life are perceived through the eyes of technology: whether it be TV sets, computers, tablets, but dominantly mobile phones. Nowadays, …

]]>“Fun and games” on the verge of inappropriate: How to protect children from the notions of sex and violence in android games

The modern age has brought along a number of changes. All spheres of life are perceived through the eyes of technology: whether it be TV sets, computers, tablets, but dominantly mobile phones. Nowadays, mobile phones are available to everyone, regardless of their age, or technology managing techniques. It is not only their availability and easy manageability that makes them an interesting investment. Today’s mobile devices, taking those equipped with android operative system as an example, offer a rich spectrum of applications, covering different fields: music, photography, social networking, as well as video games. Among the mentioned features, the most appealing one as far as the younger group of customers is concerned are, without doubt, android games.

The popularity of android games among youngsters leaves no space for discussion; they are exciting, thrilling and addictive. However, when taking a closer look at the prominent themes of these games, the presence of sex and violence, absolutely unsuitable for younger users, does not appear to be subtle to say the least. Two questions instantly arise from this acknowledgement: firstly, what effect does the notions of sex and violence (the presence of which cannot be denied in android games) have on the mindset and behavior of children, and secondly, what can be done to protect them from such harmful influence?

A vast majority of these games revolves around physical violence: whether it be in fantasy worlds, such as in HearthStone : Heroes of Warcraft; or in real-life resembling scenarios, as in Hitman: Sniper, or Grant Theft Auto: San Andreas. The player is constantly involved in situations in which they are supposed to hurt, shoot, and take down the enemy. Taking the previously mentioned game, Grant Theft Auto: San Andreas, as an example, the sexual component can be felt on many levels, especially in the way women in the game are portrayed. The girls are only seen wearing provocative clothes, as their role is to be the “arm-candy” of the men in the game. Android games also offer a category consisting of purely sexual content.

Notions of violence and sex can leave significant consequences when it comes to a young person’s psyche, especially if “sugarcoated” and being presented as fun and exciting, as it is the case in android games. What kind of activity can we undertake for the sake of children’s safety? There are many possible solutions. Monitoring our children’s choices when it comes to android games is one of the answers. There are many android games which do not involve adverse influence and are perhaps more children-friendly, or education-oriented. Conversation is always the way to go: if children are properly introduced to the concepts of sex and violence, they can create a psychological barrier, instead of approving of them. As in any other segment of a child’s life, involvement and advisement of an adult is preferred. Choosing children-friendly games and taking the time to play with your child can be a game-changing step, literally. If you show interest in a game, it is quite possible that the child will follow.

The stubborn presence of technology in the life of younger generations cannot be denied, but it most certainly can be regulated and guided. Adults have the obligation to grant the freedom of choice, with a responsibility of governing the process. As inevitable as explicit content in android games is, the magnitude of its influence can be successfully dealt with, the right strategy being applied.

]]>http://montasirahmed.com/explicitness-in-android-games/feed/0922Android Nougat: why you’ll want ithttp://montasirahmed.com/android-nougat/
http://montasirahmed.com/android-nougat/#respondFri, 02 Sep 2016 10:56:21 +0000http://montasirahmed.com/?p=838Here We are looking at Reasons why you will want the Android Nougat Direct Reply Notifications You won’t have to navigate away from your current window (or, now, windows) just to answer an incoming message. You can just reply within the notification that appears at the top of the screen. It worked well enough for …

]]>Here We are looking at Reasons why you will want the Android Nougat

Direct Reply Notifications

You won’t have to navigate away from your current window (or, now, windows) just to answer an incoming message. You can just reply within the notification that appears at the top of the screen.

It worked well enough for the iPhone and iPad when the same idea made its debut with iOS 8 under the name Quick Reply. But Apple’s approach to messages worked strictly with its iMessage app.

Google is opening up Direct Reply Notifications beyond Hangouts, and that could mean popular apps like WhatsApp could take advantage of this convenient inline messaging feature.

New quick settings menu

Google is adding a new quick settings menu to the notifications shade you pull down from the top. It’s a lot like the one Samsung, LG and every other Android manufacturer seems to use.

Sure, Google stock Android software has had switches for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Airplane mode and so forth, but it required pulling the notifications bar down a second time to reveal the quick settings menu.

Now the quick settings toggles are here as soon as you gesture downward once to see notifications. The best news is that all of the buttons small and un-obstructive. It leaves room for notifications to flourish.

Longtime Nexus users will also be happy to hear that the quick settings switches can be sorted to your liking, much like they can on other Android phones. You won’t need the System UI Tuner to meddle.

For example, I often use MiFi more than Airplane Mode, so Mobile Hotspot icon get promoted to be one of the five icons along the top of the initial quick settings on my Nexus 6P.

That little airplane icon is still there for my takeoff and landings needs, but it got the bump to the second swipe menu. Sorting is finally up to you, which is really what Android is all about.

Bundled notifications

Google’s not done with the way Android N changes notifications. It also announced that notification cards will be grouped together if they’re from the same app.

All messages from a specific messaging app, for example, are bundled together in the notification shade. These grouped alerts can then be expanded into individual notifications using a two-finger gesture or tapping the all-new expansion button.

This is basically the juxtaposition of what Apple did in the interchange from iOS 8 to iOS 9, switching from grouping them by app to lining them up chronologically. We’ll see which method works best this autumn.

There’s more control over your notifications in Android Nougat too, as now you can long press on a notification to either silence future notifications, or turn them off completely.

Android Nougat multi-tasking

There are two handy new features in multi-tasking on Android Nougat. First up is a Clear All button at the top of the multi-tasking menu – a feature Google says has been one of the most asked for. This allows you to close all applications running in the background with a single tap.

We’ve seen manufacturers add a clear all button in their Android interfaces, but the stock version has been crying out for the same function. Finally, we’re getting it.

Secondly, Google’s added Quick Switch to Android Nougat. This lets you jump back to the previous application with a double tap of the recent (multi-tasking) button in the navigation bar.

Doze Mode 2.0

One of the (literal) sleeper hits of Android Marshmallow has been Doze Mode, Google’s crafty way of saving battery life whenever your device is stationary. It’s amounts to a deep standby mode.

Android Nougat is going to step up the company’s energy-saving software techniques by expanding Doze Mode so that it thoroughly limits background tasks whenever the screen is turned off.

That’s ideal for throwing a phone in your pocket or your tablet in a backpack, and then retrieving it the next day or next week without having to recharge it right away. Your “I can’t even” face when you pick up your dead Nexus phone the next morning will be a thing of the past.

Android Nougat performance

Google says Android Nougat will provide its biggest leap forward in graphics with the introduction of Vulkan, giving game developers much-needed control of the GPU.

That in turn will result in even better graphics and smoother, faster performance.

If you’ve downloaded apps from other sources that aren’t the Google Play Store, you’ll now be able to identify where the app came from by going into your Settings, App Info and then Package Installer.

There’s also been a number of Android runtime growths, including maximize to the JIT compiler which has seen task speeds increase between 30%-600% compared to the previous version.

Updates are also more seamless, with security updates automatically downloaded and a simple fresh boot up of your device will see you run the latest offering. It’s also got rid of that annoying “Android is updating” pop up when you restart after an update.

]]>http://montasirahmed.com/android-nougat/feed/0838Google Tango Lenovo Phab 2 Pro: Reviews, Release Date and Specshttp://montasirahmed.com/google-tango-lenovo-phab-2-pro/
http://montasirahmed.com/google-tango-lenovo-phab-2-pro/#respondThu, 01 Sep 2016 07:03:32 +0000http://montasirahmed.com/?p=820The Lenovo Phab 2 Pro is a phone of firsts, starting with the fact that it’s the first consumer Google Tango phone. It’s also the first Lenovo-branded phone to come to the US. And it’s the first handset that’s ever tempted me to consider owning a phone that’s more comfortable to hold with two hands …

]]>The Lenovo Phab 2 Pro is a phone of firsts, starting with the fact that it’s the first consumer Google Tango phone.

It’s also the first Lenovo-branded phone to come to the US. And it’s the first handset that’s ever tempted me to consider owning a phone that’s more comfortable to hold with two hands than one.

The Lenovo Phab 2 Pro relies on three things to create an AR experience: motion tracking, depth perception and area learning. It’s imperative that the phone knows where it is in relation to physical objects to accurately integrate your surroundings into whatever Tango application you’re using.

The 16MP camera isn’t alone on the rear. There’s also depth and motion sensing cameras, creating a trio of lenses that are integral to the whole Tango system.

At launch, the Phab 2 Pro will have 30 Tango-supported applications, reaching 100 by the end of the year. That’s not bad, though, of course, that means a lot will ride on how good and useful those applications are. They may be delightful, or they may be DOA.

If you’re intrigued by the Phab 2 Pro, you’ll unfortunately have to wait until September before you can buy the first Google Tango phone. It will launch globally, so at least Lenovo and Google are casting a wide net to find potential Phab 2 Pro

The Phab 2 Pro has a ton going for it; and it offers enough in addition to Tango that maybe, just maybe, it will find a mainstream following. It’s highly doubtful, especially considering its size; but there’s no denying the Phab 2 Pro is a well-constructed device that pays close attention to detail. This is no developer unit that will put off consumers who are used to finished products.

As lovely as they were to look at, the Phab 2 Pro’s AR capabilities feel like they’re itching to show off what they can really do. Graphics are precisely rendered – I’d put them above what I’ve seen in the Microsoft HoloLens in terms of sharpness and color saturation. And on par when it comes to real-time rendering capability. These aren’t true-to-life representations, but are as graphically sound as anything you’d find on a high-end phone – and it’s all happening right before your eyes.

Despite its powers, Tango still feels like a caged tiger. It’s starting to break out with the Phab 2 Pro, but Tango needs more complex apps to escape its furniture-arranging mold and truly take our breaths away.

While the Phab 2 Pro is a very nice phone, I can’t shake the feeling that it’s not going to catch on in the way Lenovo and Google hope. It will rely heavily on apps for success, and while its reasonable price only helps, I worry this is another novelty device that won’t entice consumers away from the iPhones and Androids they’re used to. It may be another Google Glass, though at least it’s in a familiar form factor that’s easier to swallow.

Yes, the Phab 2 Pro offers something unique from every other handset on the market, and maybe I’ll end up wrong. Maybe in time, the Tango phone wave will catch on, the apps will be fun, helpful and downright necessary for many folks. And we’ll all be playing games walking around our living rooms and following imaginary lines in the subway station; placing furniture all over our house without lifting a finger.

But that’s a lot of maybes.

The Phab 2 Pro is a first-of-its-kind phone, and it’s the first in what will be a line of Tango consumer devices. It’s an excellent effort, and were I larger of hand and wallet, I might buy one for the heck of it.

Thankfully, Lenovo is keeping expectations low. It’s not over-promising, and it’s not looking for a runaway best seller. Google and Lenovo are aiming for a slow burn, which is wise when introducing a new technology.

The problem though is that if no one buys the Phab 2 Pro, then it’s not going to get the apps it needs to be a success. And it’s not just the Phab 2 Pro’s success we’re talking about, but Tango as a whole.

The Phab 2 Pro makes a lot of right moves, but it’s best dance partner – apps – are still missing. They’ll show up in time, but by then, Tango may have fallen out of step.

RELEASE DATE OF LENOVO PHAB 2 PRO

When rumors about Lenovo’s plan to develop the world’s first Google Tango enabled Phab 2 Pro came out; many fans were excited but they did not realize that it could happen this year. However, as the rumors continue to stay rampant, reports have emerged saying that Lenovo is gearing up for the device’s launching.

The Google Tango Powered Smartphone is expected to come with a huge screen and packed with so many exciting features. The Phab 2 Pro, which is scheduled to for a September release, was originally announced at the company’s Tech World event on June 9.

]]>http://montasirahmed.com/google-tango-lenovo-phab-2-pro/feed/0820Vodafone says, hackers may have accessed bank information of 2000 plus customershttp://montasirahmed.com/vodafone-says-hackers-may-have-accessed-bank-information-of-2000-plus-customers/
http://montasirahmed.com/vodafone-says-hackers-may-have-accessed-bank-information-of-2000-plus-customers/#respondThu, 19 Nov 2015 19:47:43 +0000http://montasirahmed.com/?p=673The BBC’s Information & Technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones said the email addresses and passwords criminals used to find their way in Vodafone accounts appeared to have been bought on the dark web. Vodafone said it observed attempts to access customer account details between mid-night on Wednesday and noon on Thursday, when it started an investigation. …

The BBC’s Information & Technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones said the email addresses and passwords criminals used to find their way in Vodafone accounts appeared to have been bought on the dark web.

Vodafone said it observed attempts to access customer account details between mid-night on Wednesday and noon on Thursday, when it started an investigation. The company also warned customers to be on their guard for “phishing” attempts by the criminals, whereby they will contact those people whose details they have partly acquired in a bid to convince them to hand over their security details.

Hackers may have obtained the bank details of almost 2,000 Vodafone customers, according to the company.

A “handful” of customers have been subject to fraudulent attempts on their accounts, Vodafone said. Banks have been put on alert for fraud and the National Crime Agency (NCA), the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) are working to identify the cause of a potential early leak and ensure that all necessary procedures are followed.

The details could not be used to access customer bank accounts but customers may at risk of fraud. 1,827 customers had their account accessed in the attack, but Vodafone insisted its systems were “not compromised or breached in anyway”. A Vodafone spokesman told the BBC the affected Vodafone accounts had been blocked and their banks notified.

The attackers had potentially gained access to the victims’ bank sort codes and the last four numbers of their bank accounts, along with their names and mobile telephone numbers, a Vodafone spokesman said. “No other customers need to be concerned, as the security of our customers’ data continues to be one of our highest priorities”.

The company said yesterday that the attack was “significantly less than originally suspected” and fewer than 21,000 bank account numbers and sort codes were accessed. Two teenagers who were arrested over that incident – a 15-year-old boy from County Antrim in Northern Ireland and a boy aged 16 from Feltham in west London – were released on police bail.

Vodafone U.K. said on Saturday hackers had accessed the accounts of 1,827 of its customers this week, the second cyber attack on a British telecom company this month. The attackers had potentially gained access to the victims’ bank sort codes and the last four numbers of their bank accounts, along with their names and mobile telephone numbers, a Vodafone spokesman said. “This incident was driven by criminals using email addresses and passwords acquired from an unknown source external to Vodafone,” he added in a statement.

Only a handful of those affected in the Thursday morning attack had seen any attempts to use their data for fraudulent activity on their Vodafone accounts. “No credit or debit card numbers or details were obtained. However, this information does leave these 1,827 customers open to fraud and might also leave them open to phishing attempts,” the spokesman said.

The company was contacting all those involved and that other customers need not be concerned, he said. Last week broadband, TV, mobile and fixed-line service provider TalkTalk said it had been hacked, potentially putting the private details of its 4 million customers into the hands of criminals. Less than 21,000 unique bank account numbers and sort codes had been accessed. Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with that attack.

]]>http://montasirahmed.com/vodafone-says-hackers-may-have-accessed-bank-information-of-2000-plus-customers/feed/0673Hottest Smartphones Right Nowhttp://montasirahmed.com/hottest-smartphones-right-now/
http://montasirahmed.com/hottest-smartphones-right-now/#commentsSun, 21 Sep 2014 18:34:58 +0000http://montasirahmed.com/?p=623Everyone wants to own the best smartphone available. Having a good smartphone is something that never goes out of fashion. There have been a great number of smartphone launches lately, but we composed a list of the hottest smartphones right now. Take a look at our list: IPhone 6 The engineers from Apple don’t give …

]]>Everyone wants to own the best smartphone available. Having a good smartphone is something that never goes out of fashion. There have been a great number of smartphone launches lately, but we composed a list of the hottest smartphones right now. Take a look at our list:

IPhone 6

The engineers from Apple don’t give us a break. A new iPhone is on the horizon. This time we are talking about the new iPhone 6. What is so good about this new smartphone? It is bigger, much durable, tougher, slimmer, adorable, sophisticated… There is a massive demand for bigger and bigger smartphones. We can finally say that people will get what they want. The new iPhone has an improved Wi – Fi and LTE speeds and an internal storage up to 128 GB. Although the screen is a little bigger, it is very easy to handle it. This is actually a phone for everyone. With all the features it has, the iPhone 6 is able to satisfy everyone’s needs. The design of the new iPhone is a bit different with a curved metal. It feels thinner than its predecessors and it feels really good to hold it. The new iPhone 6 weighs only 128 gr with 5.4 by 2.6 inches screen. And guess what? It is still one – hand friendly.

LG G3

LG G3 is considered as one of the best smartphones of 2014. First of all it is a very large phone, but very light as well. It has a 5.5 inch screen, which makes it the largest smartphone available. You will be surprised of how good the LG G3’s ergonomics are. This new phone offers specs that will make it both the Smartphone and Gadget of the Year. The LG L3 shows off a brushed metallic finish on the back and it looks more and more interesting. It includes a 5.5 inch IPS display with 1440 x 2560 resolution, 3GB of RAMalong with 32GB of native storage. There is also a MicroSD slotwhich features a Sony Exmor R camera with OIS+. There is a LG knock code along with Android 4.4.2 and the most important thing nowadays is that this new phone will be dust and water resistant. As for the shape LG has added new features for the case that will make it a phone that everyone will want to own it.

Samsung Galaxy S5

Samsung Galaxy S5 is one of the most popular smartphones of 2014. It had been sold more than 10.000.000 units of this device. The number of sold units tells everything. This amazing smartphone features the following specifications:

.A very powerful 5GHz quad-core CPU processor

2 GB of RAM

16/32 GB of internal storage (with a possibility to upgrade up to 128 GB with a Micro SD card).

A 2800 mAh removable battery

A 5.1 inches screen

Samsung Galaxy S5 is the best smartphone that Samsung has ever made. The processor is much powerful and quicker, the screen is much brighter and bigger and the battery is larger. Isn’t that everything you want your phone to have? This is like the best device ever made in the history of smartphones.

HTC One M8

The phone has a very powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 2.5GHz processor that runs with 2 GB of RAM. An incredible 5.00-inch 1080×1920 display and a 4-Ultrapixel rear camera. The design is amazing. It has Metal body and good construction quality. The phone runs on Android 4.4.2 operating system and has 16GB of internal storage. But if you want to upgrade your storage there is an option to make this possible with a MicroSD card that supports an expandable storage up to 128 GB. It also has Dual front-facing HTC BoomSound speakers that produce the clearest sound you’ve ever heard.

Sony Xperia Z2

The Sony Xperia Z2 is one excellent smartphone, with amazing specifications and features. It is one of the most incredible Sony smartphone. The phone weighs 163 g (5.75 oz) and has an amazing IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen with 16 m colors. The size of the display is 5.2 inches and it is protected by a shatter proof glass. It has an internal storage of 16 GB and a possibility to upgrade it up to 128 GB. The phone runs with the powerful Qualcomm MSM8974AB Snapdragon 801 processor and 3 GB of RAM. The Sony Xperia Z2 works with Android OS, v4.4.2 (KitKat) operating system. When it comes to the camera features we can only say that they are perfect. It is one of the best smartphones this year.

]]>http://montasirahmed.com/hottest-smartphones-right-now/feed/1623Facebook releases Hack programming language for engineershttp://montasirahmed.com/facebook-releases-hack-programming-language-engineers/
http://montasirahmed.com/facebook-releases-hack-programming-language-engineers/#commentsSun, 13 Apr 2014 14:39:33 +0000http://montasirahmed.com/?p=604It is called Hack but it has little to do with hacking. It is Hack programming language in PHP version, designed by Facebook that lets programmers build complex websites & other software quickly & without many flaws. According to Bryan O’Sullivan, the Facebook engineer behind the Hack programming language, “We can say with complete assurance …

]]>It is called Hack but it has little to do with hacking. It is Hack programming language in PHP version, designed by Facebook that lets programmers build complex websites & other software quickly & without many flaws.

According to Bryan O’Sullivan, the Facebook engineer behind the Hack programming language, “We can say with complete assurance that this has been as battle-tested as it can possibly be,”

Experts say Hack is a new version of PHP – the language Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg used when he started Facebook. Hack too runs on the Hip Hop Virtual Machine but it lets coders use both dynamic typing & static typing. For the next decade, Zuckerberg & his rapidly growing company continued to build their site with PHP.

But as a PHP site grows, you need far more computer servers to run the thing than you would with other languages & it can be difficult to manage all your code & keep it free of bugs. Hack makes it easier to manage code & eliminate errors. It strongly provides these benefits without slowing down the developer. Hack helps you write correct code faster.

Hack programming language adds safety nets while avoiding slowing you down & adds language features that make coding in Hack more enjoyable. Converting PHP code to Hack is easy & can be done gradually, as PHP & Hack work together when run with HHVM.

Facebook has migrated almost its entire PHP-based site to Hack over the last year. One of the beauties of Hack programming language is that it coexists seamlessly with PHP files. The company has now made the language open-source, meaning that any engineer can use it and help improve it.

Unlike other statically type programming languages, Hack can run without compiling. You edit a file & you reload a web page & you immediately get the feedback. You get both safety & speed,” O’Sullivan added.

]]>http://montasirahmed.com/facebook-releases-hack-programming-language-engineers/feed/1604The Truth about Sextinghttp://montasirahmed.com/truth-sexting/
http://montasirahmed.com/truth-sexting/#respondSat, 14 Sep 2013 02:24:20 +0000http://montasirahmed.com/?p=523In this modern world of digital technology, people have managed to infuse modern tools in promoting sexual behavior. Some use this to keep the fire burning in long distance relationships, other who engaged in multiple partnerships, with both genders, used this as a form of self-advertising and teens have used this as a coming of …

]]>In this modern world of digital technology, people have managed to infuse modern tools in promoting sexual behavior. Some use this to keep the fire burning in long distance relationships, other who engaged in multiple partnerships, with both genders, used this as a form of self-advertising and teens have used this as a coming of age entry to more serious sexual behaviors. What am I talking about? Sexting.

What is sexting anyway? Sexting is a combination of two words: Sex and texting. It is defined as the act of sending sexually explicit messages and/or photographs, primarily between mobile phones. This means sending an explicit text message accompanied with a sexually suggestive image. The term was first coined in an article back 2005 in the Sunday Telegraph Magazine. The term sexting has since been used in countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and the United States. In a survey conducted by Cosmogirl.com, it showed 20% of teens within the age range of 13-20 and 33% of young adults within the age range of 20-26 have admittedly sent naked or semi-naked pictures to the opposite sex. For teens, it has become a prelude to sex or experimentation for the ones without real experience.

This form of behavior has alarmed many parents across nations and cultures. In the United states, teenagers who have sent a naked photographs of themselves have been charged with distribution of child pornography, while the individuals who received the naked photograph through sexting was charged with possession of child pornography.

Watching nude/semi-nude images/videos of partners.

Psychologists have concluded that sexting, as a behavior will later on create mental instability in the teens who have engaged in such activities, having to face the consequences of their actions later in life. In Canada, they are pushing a no-sexting act, to compel Internet and telephone companies to hand over personal customers’ information to law enforcement agencies for cases of sexting involving minors which is classified under the law as child pornography. The risks are widespread, with the use of social media, due to the easy propagation of the materials online. In recent a sexting awareness parent study, it shows 61% of parents worry that it will result to cyber bullying among teenagers. It shows that parents who are aware of sexting are more likely to talk about the issue to their children as compared to those who are not open to discussion. Also, parents who are aware of sexting are more aware of the legal consequences as opposed to the parents who are unaware of it.

According to survey, 15% of parents admitted that they do not understand and are unaware of the potential dangers associated with sexting. Parents now have increased awareness of what it is and how it can affect the lives of their teens in the long run. Parents, who are aware of the issue, are now more open to talking to their children about the truths concerning Sex.Ting.

]]>http://montasirahmed.com/truth-sexting/feed/0523Reprocess an Old Tablet – Three Remarkable Wayshttp://montasirahmed.com/reprocess-old-tablet-three-remarkable-ways/
http://montasirahmed.com/reprocess-old-tablet-three-remarkable-ways/#commentsWed, 11 Sep 2013 07:09:23 +0000http://montasirahmed.com/?p=450If you’re something like me, you’re starting to amass quite the tablet compilation. Sure, yes, I write about them for a living, thus I probably own more than my fair share. However now that these devices have been about a few years and prices continue to plummet, I’m estimating you’ve got an older model or …

]]>If you’re something like me, you’re starting to amass quite the tablet compilation. Sure, yes, I write about them for a living, thus I probably own more than my fair share. However now that these devices have been about a few years and prices continue to plummet, I’m estimating you’ve got an older model or two in the closet, assembling dust.

You might attempt to get a few bucks for them on Craigslist or Ebay, or you can bequeath them to the kids for games, books, and movies. However there are other ways to recycle an old tablet, a few of which might surprise you.

1. Create a devoted music server

I’ve always been charmed of Sonos music systems, which put an everlasting supply of music at your fingertips; however I’m unwilling to pay the premium price for individual.

Auspiciously, I don’t have to: With just about any old tablet & a standalone speaker, I can valve into all the music of the world.

For starters, I suggest getting a Bluetooth speaker or speaker dock — somewhat designed to pair with a Smartphone or tablet. Bluetooth speakers are particularly great if your tablet supports that trait, as you can access all your tunes devoid of having to stay physically tethered. Immediately I’m loving the Braven 850, a compact although powerful Bluetooth speaker that can fill any tiny- or medium-size room with warm, rich aural.

From there it’s merely a matter of stocking the tablet with your music compilation and a good assortment of music-streaming apps. Besides obvious choices like Pandora and Spotify, be certain to check out Rdio, Slacker and TuneInRadio. This final lets you listen to local radio stations from about the world, all free of charge.

And if your tablet lacks adequate storage for your entire own library, you can stream it from your PC utilizing a music-server solution like Plex.

What’s cool regarding all this is that your tablet serves not only like the gateway to all this great music, but also the organizer.

2. Create it a permanent photo frame

Digital photo frames are excellent, creating an endless slideshow of your preferred pictures but this is not just a few dozen, however hundreds or even thousands of them.

If your aged tablet is collecting dust, why not repurpose it for border duty? All you need is the correct app — preferably one that can drag photos from online sources instead of simply displaying those loaded into the tablet’s reminiscence.

For instance, Digital Photo Frame Web for Android will exhibit a running slideshow, complete with fades & other transition between pictures, and can entrance local, Flickr, Facebook, and Dropbox folders. As a result, whenever you want to insert photos to the “frame,” you could merely e-mail or upload them to one of those accounts.

If you contain an iPad, it’s even easier. There’s a slideshow trait built right in, and in fact this would be a large way to leverage Apple’s Photo Stream trait: Any new shots captured by your iPhone can automatically show on your iPad.

3. Contribute its processing power to science

An elderly, single-core tablet processor may seem as a dinosaur nowadays, but it’s still far more influential than the computers that get the Apollo astronauts to the moon. Huge powerful, in fact, that it could help lead to scientific penetrates.

Some projects aim to leverage your Android tablet’s superfluous processing power to discover new stars and search for new techniques to treat AIDS.

Earlier, these volunteer computing endeavors were limited to real computers, but as noted by IBM, mobile devices, total computing power surpass that of the largest conformist supercomputers. In other words, there’s numerous untapped tablet power out there that could be harnessed for well.

To unite the citizen science brigade, simply install an app named BOINC on your unused tablet, and then leave it clued-up so it can continue to operate. In switch for a tiny bit of electricity, you can assist the world. Pretty cool deal, I’d say!